Why Circle to Search is missing on your work phone and what’s behind it
Top 3 Key Points:
- Circle to Search allows fast Google searches using screenshots.
- IT admins can now disable the feature due to security concerns.
- Blocking Circle to Search is possible with Android 15 updates.
Circle to Search: What Happened to the Feature on Your Work Phone?
Circle to Search is a highly useful feature on Android, making it easier for users to search the web. By simply holding down the home button or navigation bar and circling or tapping the desired section of the screen, you can quickly Google search text or images. This feature, however, may no longer be available on some Android work phones due to security concerns raised by IT administrators.
How Circle to Search Works Introduced earlier this year during the Samsung Galaxy S24 launch, Circle to Search is currently only available on selected Google and Samsung devices. It works through Android’s Assist API, which captures a screenshot of the active screen and allows users to interact with the text and images. By selecting any part of the screen, users can copy, share, or perform a Google search on the highlighted content.
Why IT Admins Are Concerned Circle to Search’s functionality relies on taking screenshots, which might include sensitive information like login credentials or personal data. For businesses, this can present a risk. IT administrators are wary of potential data breaches or unintentional leaks if employees use this feature inappropriately. Google has responded by allowing IT admins to disable Circle to Search on work phones.
How IT Admins Disable Circle to Search Google’s recent update to the Android Management API gives IT departments more control over work phones. This update introduces an AssistContentPolicy, which controls whether an app, such as Google Assistant, can receive screenshots and app information. By adjusting this policy, IT admins can block the Circle to Search feature entirely on devices running Android 15 or higher.
Why Circle to Search Might Disappear on Your Phone If your work phone is updated to Android 15 and you notice that Circle to Search is no longer functioning, it’s likely because your company’s IT department has disabled the feature for security reasons. With Android 15 updates rolling out soon, more phones may have this restriction applied.
This security measure is mainly aimed at protecting company data from accidental exposure, ensuring that sensitive information remains secure.
Key points:
- Android 15 for Pixel devices was pushed back to October 15.
- Gemini Live, Google’s AI assistant, is now available for free Android users.
- Pixel 6 and later devices will get Android 15, but Pixel 6/6 Pro won’t get future updates.
Android 15 Delayed
Google’s latest Android update, Android 15, is taking a bit longer to reach Pixel phones. While it was released for developers in September, it won’t be available for Pixel users until October 15th. This delay is likely due to Google wanting to make sure the update is as bug-free as possible.
Gemini Live Goes Free
In other Google news, Gemini Live, the company’s AI assistant, is now free for Android users. This means you can use Gemini to help you with tasks like writing emails, summarizing articles, or even translating languages.
Pixel 6 and Later
The Pixel 6 and later devices will be the first to get Android 15. However, this will also be the last guaranteed update for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. While they will continue to receive security updates, they won’t get any new features after Android 15.
Key Points:
- Google Calendar is coming to the New Tab Page in Chrome for Workspace users.
- Circle to Search is expanding to more Android devices, including Xiaomi 14T.
- Chrome is getting other new features for enterprise users.
Google Calendar on Chrome’s New Tab Page:
Google Workspace users will soon see their Google Calendar on the New Tab Page in Chrome. This will make it easier to see upcoming meetings and join them quickly. You’ll also see your daily schedule below the calendar.
Circle to Search Expanding to More Devices:
Circle to Search, a feature that lets you search by drawing circles around objects in your photos, is expanding to more Android devices. This feature was previously limited to Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices, but now it’s coming to Tecno and Xiaomi devices.
Other Chrome Updates:
Chrome is also getting other new features for enterprise users, such as a new sign-in flow that provides more transparency and a feature that lets admins set site shortcuts.
These updates are all designed to make it easier for businesses to use Chrome and Google Workspace.
YouTube is making content creation easier and more fun with new AI features.
- AI-powered video backgrounds: Create stunning visuals for your Shorts videos with Google’s Veo AI model.
- AI-powered video ideas: Get inspiration for your next video with YouTube Studio’s AI-powered brainstorming tool.
- AI-powered comments: Quickly respond to your viewers with AI-suggested replies.
YouTube is adding more AI features to help creators make better videos. One of the biggest announcements is the integration of Veo, a powerful AI model, into YouTube Shorts. This means you can create high-quality backgrounds and even short video clips using just a few words.
Imagine being able to describe a scene, like “a bustling city street at sunset,” and having Veo instantly generate a visually stunning background for your Short. Or, perhaps you need a quick clip to transition between two scenes; Veo can create a short video that perfectly fits your needs.
Another exciting feature is the new AI-powered brainstorming tool in YouTube Studio. This tool can suggest video ideas based on your channel’s history and what’s popular on YouTube. It’s like having a creative assistant that always has fresh ideas.
For example, if you’ve been creating cooking videos, the tool might suggest ideas like “Vegan cooking hacks” or “Quick and easy weeknight meals.” Or, if you’re a gaming channel, it could suggest ideas like “Top 5 new games to try” or “Let’s play a classic game.”
YouTube is also working on AI-powered comments. This feature will suggest replies to comments, making it easier for creators to engage with their audience.
For example, if a viewer leaves a comment saying “Great video!” the AI might suggest a reply like “Thanks for watching!” Or, if a viewer asks a question, the AI could suggest a helpful answer based on the video’s content.
These new AI features are making YouTube an even more powerful platform for creators. By automating tasks like background creation and idea generation, creators can spend more time focusing on what they do best: creating great content.
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